Goodbye ReiserFS?

I've been using ReiserFS heavily for some years on both my own and my
clients' machines, so it came as a bit of a shock to read this proposal to
move away from it
<http://linux.wordpress.com/2006/09/27/suse-102-ditching-reiserfs-as-it-default-fs/>.

One drawback mentioned with the current implementation is that it uses the
Big Kernel Lock (BKL). This is an obsolete locking mechanism in the Linux
kernel--obsolete because it doesn't scale to multiple CPUs, preemption and
the like.

Suggestions for alternatives seem be split between ext3 and XFS. ext3 has
been around almost as long as ReiserFS but seems to be slower, while XFS
seems to have more ReiserFS-like characteristics of handling lots of files,
but perhaps not the same level of maturity.

Advertisements

Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
> I've been using ReiserFS heavily for some years on both my own and my
> clients' machines, so it came as a bit of a shock to read this proposal to
> move away from it
> <http://linux.wordpress.com/2006/09/27/suse-102-ditching-reiserfs-as-it-default-fs/>.
>
> One drawback mentioned with the current implementation is that it uses the
> Big Kernel Lock (BKL). This is an obsolete locking mechanism in the Linux
> kernel--obsolete because it doesn't scale to multiple CPUs, preemption and
> the like.
>
> Suggestions for alternatives seem be split between ext3 and XFS. ext3 has
> been around almost as long as ReiserFS but seems to be slower, while XFS
> seems to have more ReiserFS-like characteristics of handling lots of files,
> but perhaps not the same level of maturity.

Advertisements

Another interesting item here
<http://linuxmafia.com/faq/Filesystems/reiserfs.html> from long-time kernel
hacker Ted Ts'o, explaining a fundamental difference in the journalling
mechanisms between ext3 and XFS (comments on the latter also apply to
ReiserFS). Basically ext3 looks worse in benchmarks because it's writing
more data to disk in the journal, but that makes it more reliable on your
stock-standard PC hardware, which doesn't react to power outages very well.

How would a car function if it were designed like a computer?
Occasionally, executing a maneuver would cause your car to stop and fail
and you would have to re-install the engine, and the airbag system would
say, "Are you sure?" before going off. (Katie Hafner)

Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
> Another interesting item here
> <http://linuxmafia.com/faq/Filesystems/reiserfs.html> from long-time kernel
> hacker Ted Ts'o, explaining a fundamental difference in the journalling
> mechanisms between ext3 and XFS (comments on the latter also apply to
> ReiserFS). Basically ext3 looks worse in benchmarks because it's writing
> more data to disk in the journal, but that makes it more reliable on your
> stock-standard PC hardware, which doesn't react to power outages very well.
>
The one time I created a reiserfs ((several GB as I recall) any time I
tried to create anything *in* it, it claimed it was full. Obviously it
was my fault, but I didn;t have time to figure out my cock-up.

In message <>, Enkidu wrote:
> The one time I created a reiserfs ((several GB as I recall) any time I
> tried to create anything *in* it, it claimed it was full. Obviously it
> was my fault, but I didn;t have time to figure out my cock-up.

Really? I've done dozens of the things. Just "mkfs -t reiserfs" and that was
it.

Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
> In message <>, Enkidu wrote:
>
>> The one time I created a reiserfs ((several GB as I recall) any time I
>> tried to create anything *in* it, it claimed it was full. Obviously it
>> was my fault, but I didn;t have time to figure out my cock-up.
>
> Really? I've done dozens of the things. Just "mkfs -t reiserfs" and that was
> it.
>
> But they do take bloody ages to mount, even when dismounted cleanly.
>
Just created a new one on a virtual disk within VMWare and it works
fine. As I said, I didn't have time to check at the the time.

aum wrote:
> On Thu, 12 Oct 2006 21:05:39 +1300, Earl Grey wrote:
> > Is this related ?
> > http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34990
>
> That's only a factor if Hans Reiser is not allowed to debug reiser4 and
> maintain reiserfs from within his jail cell.
>
> There'd be some developers who'd appreciate a jail sentence (in the right
> prison) just to get some peace from outside distractions so they can
> concentrate on their code.

Unfortunately prison authorities do not AFAIK permit computers unless
they are heavily locked down. They are afraid they would be used to
breach elctronic security systems.

I'm surprised to hear you say XFS doesnt have the same level of
maturity? XFS was developed by SGI, that speaks volumes in it self.

Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
> I've been using ReiserFS heavily for some years on both my own and my
> clients' machines, so it came as a bit of a shock to read this proposal to
> move away from it
> <http://linux.wordpress.com/2006/09/27/suse-102-ditching-reiserfs-as-it-default-fs/>.
>
> One drawback mentioned with the current implementation is that it uses the
> Big Kernel Lock (BKL). This is an obsolete locking mechanism in the Linux
> kernel--obsolete because it doesn't scale to multiple CPUs, preemption and
> the like.
>
> Suggestions for alternatives seem be split between ext3 and XFS. ext3 has
> been around almost as long as ReiserFS but seems to be slower, while XFS
> seems to have more ReiserFS-like characteristics of handling lots of files,
> but perhaps not the same level of maturity.

On Thu, 12 Oct 2006 21:01:01 +1300, Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
> Suggestions for alternatives seem be split between ext3 and XFS. ext3 has
> been around almost as long as ReiserFS but seems to be slower, while XFS
> seems to have more ReiserFS-like characteristics of handling lots of files,
> but perhaps not the same level of maturity.

Progres, at certain points in time it seems like it is a bad move.

Let ReiserFS go, and then everyone can tweak/develop XFS. XFS will then
mature and rule okay. Time as always will be the judge.

ReiserFS has servered you well, just like many of your sex partners, and
it should be remembered in that light.

Share This Page

Welcome to Velocity Reviews!

Welcome to the Velocity Reviews, the place to come for the latest tech news and reviews.

Please join our friendly community by clicking the button below - it only takes a few seconds and is totally free. You'll be able to chat with other enthusiasts and get tech help from other members.
Sign up now!